The late season St Johnstone revival continued at McDiarmid Park with a victory for the Perth men that helped relegate their opponents to the first division.
Before kick-off Accies knew they needed at least a point to have any realistic prospect of taking the basement battle to the last game, but as it turned out St Mirren’s win at Aberdeen meant even that wouldn’t have been enough.
In Perth their survival hopes were dashed by a first-half penalty, which saw Liam Craig score from the spot and Mark McLaughlin red-carded.
The scoreline would have been even more emphatic had Craig not seen a second penalty saved.
From a Saints perspective the win was their third on the bounce the first time they have managed that this season. There was also good news as far as boss Derek McInnes was concerned.
He reported that there has been no follow up contact from Brentford regarding their vacant manager’s position.
He said, “It was over a week ago that I spoke with them. We had a chat but I’m getting on with my job here. That’s all there is to say.
“We need to wait and see what happens in the next few days. There is still a lot to be agreed. I’m concentrating on finishing the season well here, which is what we’re doing.”
As far as the match was concerned, he said, “I’m delighted we’ve managed to win three in a row but I’m frustrated that we didn’t make our extra man count and make things easy for ourselves.
“But we got the job done and thoroughly deserved the three points. That win goes a long way to cementing eighth place.”
Dejected Hamilton manager Billy Reid reflected, “That match sums up our season. The players gave everything in terms of effort but it wasn’t our night. I’m proud of them.
“It will be our objective to bounce back. We’ll play in the right way and will work hard with a group of young players.”
Saints made just the one change to the team which won 2-0 at Aberdeen on Saturday, with Alan Maybury replacing Kevin Moon. Accies welcomed Alex Neil back from suspension and Jon Routledge from injury.Early driveThe visitors nearly made the perfect start in the opening minute when Simon Mensing drove forward from inside his own half all the way to the edge of the opposition box.
He could have taken on a shot himself but chose to move it on to Nigel Hasselbaink to his left. However, the ex-Saint delayed the pass for too long and the Dutchman was flagged offside as he slotted the ball home.
There was another near thing on four minutes when Dougie Imrie picked out Routledge at the back post, and he forced a good save out of Peter Enckelman.
Saints were next to threaten when Craig latched on to an Andy Jackson head-flick. The midfielder tried to lob Tomas Cerny with the outside of his boot but underhit his effort and the Hamilton keeper wasn’t unduly troubled.
There was no shortage of goalmouth action in the early stages, and Peter MacDonald came close with a volley on 10 minutes and Jamie Adams with a snapshot from 10 yards out a few minutes later.
The defining moment of the match came on 28 minutes when a long Enckelman ball out of defence was flicked on by MacDonald and Jackson took it in his stride.
Continued…
The Perth striker was brought down by McLaughlin and referee Steve Conroy deemed that the foul had been committed just inside the box.
It was a close call television replays suggested contact may have been made inches outside the area but the decision proved to be a double whammy for Hamilton as the centre-back was sent off and a penalty was awarded.
Craig took the spot kick and sent Cerny the wrong way, coolly slotting it into the bottom right corner.
Four minutes after the break Chris Millar picked up a slack David Elebert crossfield pass but he dragged his 18 yarder wide of Cerny’s right hand post.
On 57 minutes Hamilton conceded their second penalty of the night when Mensing tripped MacDonald. Craig changed direction this time, going to Cerny’s right, but the Czech keeper guessed correctly and he blocked the shot. Adams was first to the loose ball but blazed over.
The rain was lashing down by now and on 70 minutes the conditions caused Cerny to spill a long range shot. However, he was able to gather the ball at the second attempt.
Accies chances were few and far between and Alister Crawford would have been disappointed with his tame effort when the ball broke to him on the right hand side of the box.
Attendance 2253St Johnstone Enckelman, Mackay, Maybury (Invincibile 75), Anderson, Duberry, Davidson, Adams (Reynolds 84), Millar, Craig, Jackson (May 75), MacDonald. Subs not used Smith, Taylor, Robertson, Durnan.Hamilton Cerny, McLaughlin, Imrie, McDonald, Neil, McAlister, Buchanan (Elebert 37), Crawford (Chambers 79), Routledge (Gillespie 90), Mensing, Hasselbaink. Subs not used Murdoch, Kilday, Elliot, Antoine-Curier.Referee Steve Conroy.